A Cross-Cultural Reflection from Vietnam to Thailand That Shaped My Identity

This project is a cultural autobiography video exploring my journey of intercultural communication through two pivotal personal experiences. The first reflects my primary socialization with Vietnamese traditions, particularly the practice of burning joss paper to honor ancestors in my grandmother’s hometown of Bắc Ninh. Through models like Hofstede’s and Trompenaars’s, I unpacked the deep cultural values of filial piety and collectivism behind this ritual. The second experience involves a trip to Thailand, where I encountered the concept of jai yen (cool heart), which challenged my previous ways of expressing emotions and introduced me to new intercultural attitudes. The approach combines personal storytelling with cultural theories, helping me reflect not only on my own cultural identity but also on how to navigate cross-cultural contexts with openness. Along the way, I gained the insight that cultural practices are not fixed, they evolve through socialization and personal growth.